Apparatus and methods for processing mail using a manifest

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for manifesting mailpieces, processing mailpieces from a mail system, and certifying a mail system are provided. A mailpiece is received at a manifest mailing system and mailing information from the mailpiece is obtained. manifest of the mailpiece is created and the mail piece is then delivered using the manifest. Based on a certification of the mail system, an accuracy of a portion of the manifest may be selectively determined. Based on the accuracy of the portion of the manifest, the mailpieces are then conditionally delivered using the manifest. To determine a certification, test information may be provided to a mail system. A manifest generated by the mail system is then received. The accuracy of the manifest based on the test information is determined and a certification level is then assigned to the mail system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of certifying a mail system, the method comprising:
 receiving a certification request for a mail system used to create mailing manifests, wherein the certification request comprises system information related,to the mail system; 
 providing test information to the mail system; 
 receiving a manifest generated by the mail system; 
 determining an accuracy of the manifest based on the test information; 
 assigning a first certification level to the mail system when the system information specifies that the mail system includes software and the accuracy of the manifest exceeds a first threshold, wherein the first certification level indicates that received mailpieces listed on one or more future manifests created by the mail system are to be sampled at a first predetermined frequency; and 
 assigning a second certification level to the mail system when the system information specifies that the mail system includes software and hardware, and the accuracy of the manifest exceeds a second threshold, wherein the second certification level indicates that the received tailpieces listed on the one or more future manifests created by the mail system are to be sampled at a second predetermined frequency. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test information comprises information simulating a plurality of mailpieces. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining the accuracy of the manifest, comprises:
 determining a first set of postage fees based on the information simulating the plurality of mailpieces; 
 obtaining a second set of postage fees from the manifest; and 
 comparing the first and second sets of postage fees. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test information comprises program code used by the mail system to generate the manifest. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hardware specified in the system information comprises one or more of a weight scale, a label printer, a report printer, and a scanner. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the test information comprises:
 weighing each of the plurality of mailpieces; and 
 categorizing each of the plurality of mailpieces based on one or more rate categories. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining the accuracy of the manifest comprises:
 determining a first set of postage fees based on the test information; 
 obtaining a second set of postage fees from the manifest; and 
 comparing the first and second sets of postage fees. 
 
     
     
       8. A system for certifying a mail system, comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 a memory storing instructions, executable by the at least one processor, to cause the at least one processor to perform the operations of:
 receiving a certification request for a mail system used to create mailing manifests, wherein the certification request comprises system information related to the mail system; 
 providing test information to the mail system; 
 receiving a manifest generated by the mail system; 
 determining an accuracy of the manifest based on the test information; 
 assigning a first certification level to the mail system when the system information specifies that the mail system includes software and the accuracy of the manifest exceeds a first threshold, wherein the first certification level indicates that received mailpieces listed on one or more future manifests created by the mail system are to be sampled at a first predetermined frequency; and 
 assigning a second certification level to the mail system when the system information specifies that the mail system includes software and hardware, and the accuracy of the manifest exceeds a second threshold, wherein the second certification level indicates that the received malipieces listed on the one or more future manifests created by the mail system are to be sampled at a second predetermined frequency. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the test information comprises information simulating a plurality of mailpieces. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein determining the accuracy of the manifest comprises:
 determining a first set of postage fees based on the information simulating the plurality of mailpieces; 
 obtaining a second set of postage fees from the manifest; and comparing the first and second sets of postage fees. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the test information comprises program code used by the mail system to generate the manifest. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hardware specified in the system information comprises one or more of a weight scale, a label printer, a report printer, and a scanner. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the providing the test information comprises:
 weighing each of the plurality of mailpieces; and 
 categorizing each of the plurality of mailpieces based on one or more rate categories. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein determining the accuracy of the manifest comprises:
 determining a first set of postage fees based on the test information; 
 obtaining a second set of postage fees from the manifest; and 
 comparing the first and second sets of postage fees.